University of Tampa

The University of Tampa (officially shortened to UTampa; formerly nicknamed UT or Tampa U) is a private university in Tampa, Florida, United States. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. UTampa offers more than 200 programs of study, including 19 master's degrees and a broad variety of majors, minors, pre-professional programs and certificates. The school was initially established in 1931 as a junior college housed in a local high school. In 1933, it became a four-year university and moved onto the grounds of the recently closed Tampa Bay Hotel. The large and lavish central building of Henry B. Plant's resort was converted into Plant Hall, and the Moorish minarets atop the distinctive structure have long been a symbol of both the school and of the city of Tampa in general. UTampa grew gradually in the 20th century while navigating several periods of financial difficulty, including in the 1970s, when the school decided to fold its locally popular football program due to concerns about costs. Successful fundraising and marketing beginning in the 1990s helped put the school on more stable footing. Since then, it has extensively expanded and modernized its campus while increasing enrollment to over 11,000 students.